vent Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a hole for the escape of gas or air
    blowhole; venthole; vent-hole.
  2. noun external opening of urinary or genital system of a lower vertebrate
  3. noun a fissure in the earth's crust (or in the surface of some other planet) through which molten lava and gases erupt
    volcano.
  4. noun a slit in a garment (as in the back seam of a jacket)
  5. noun activity that frees or expresses creative energy or emotion
    release; outlet.
    • she had no other outlet for her feelings
    • he gave vent to his anger
  6. verb give expression or utterance to
    give vent; ventilate.
    • She vented her anger
    • The graduates gave vent to cheers
  7. verb expose to cool or cold air so as to cool or freshen
    ventilate; air out; air.
    • air the old winter clothes
    • air out the smoke-filled rooms

WordNet

Vent noun
Etymology
F. vente, fr. L. vendere, -itum, to sell; perh. confused with E. vent an opening. See Vend.
Definitions
  1. Sale; opportunity to sell; market. Obs. Shelton.
    There is no vent for any commodity but of wool. Sir W. Temple.
Vent transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To sell; to vend. Obs.
    Therefore did those nations vent such spice. Sir W. Raleigh.
Vent noun
Etymology
Sp. venta a poor inn, sale, market. See Vent sale.
Definitions
  1. A baiting place; an inn. Obs.
Vent intransitive verb
Etymology
Cf. F. venter to blow, vent wind (see Ventilate); but prob influenced by E. vent an opening.
Definitions
  1. To snuff; to breathe or puff out; to snort. Obs. Spenser.
Vent noun
Etymology
OE. fent, fente, a slit, F. fente a slit, cleft, fissure, from fendre to split, L. findere; but probably confused with F. vent wind, L. ventus. See Fissure, and cf. Vent to snuff.
Definitions
  1. A small aperture; a hole or passage for air or any fluid to escape; as, the vent of a cask; the vent of a mold; a volcanic vent.
    Look, how thy wounds do bleed at many vents. Shak.
    Long't was doubtful, both so closely pent, Which first should issue from the narrow vent. Pope.
  2. Specifically: -- (a) (Zoöl.) The anal opening of certain invertebrates and fishes; also, the external cloacal opening of reptiles, birds, amphibians, and many fishes. (b) (Gun.) The opening at the breech of a firearm, through which fire is communicated to the powder of the charge; touchhole. (c) (Steam Boilers) Sectional area of the passage for gases divided by the length of the same passage in feet.
  3. Fig.: Opportunity of escape or passage from confinement or privacy; outlet.
  4. Emission; escape; passage to notice or expression; publication; utterance.
    Without the vent of words. Milton.
    Thou didst make tolerable vent of thy travel. Shak.
Vent transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Vented; present participle & verbal noun Venting
Definitions
  1. To let out at a vent, or small aperture; to give passage or outlet to.
  2. To suffer to escape from confinement; to let out; to utter; to pour forth; as, to vent passion or complaint.
    The queen of heaven did thus her fury vent. Dryden.
  3. To utter; to report; to publish. Obs.
    By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. Milton.
    Thou hast framed and vented very curious orations. Barrow.
  4. To scent, as a hound. Obs. Turbervile.
  5. To furnish with a vent; to make a vent in; as, to vent. a mold.

Webster 1913